For many people, farming is about more than producing crops. It is often a way to reconnect with their roots, spend more time outdoors, provide local food for their community, and pursue a lifelong dream. There has also been a renewed interest in locally grown food, farmers markets, direct-to-consumer sales, and knowing where food comes from. As a result, many individuals and families are exploring opportunities to turn small parcels of land into productive farms.

Participants in a classroom listening to a presentation for small and beginning farmers. — Small Farm Start-up School farm tour in Polk County, Florida in 2026. Photo credit: Luis Rodriguez, UF/IFAS Extension.

While some small farming ventures become successful businesses, others face challenges along the way. New farmers often encounter questions about crop selection, food safety, pest management, irrigation, marketing, regulations, and profitability. These hurdles can be overwhelming for those without an agricultural and business background.

In 2026, the Florida Cooperative Extension Small Farm Start-up School helped beginning, aspiring, and early-stage farmers across Florida turn their ideas into more informed plans and

practical actions. The program combined online instruction, local Extension support, farm tours, business planning, scholarships, and connections with experienced farmers and agricultural professionals. Whether participants were just exploring the possibility of starting a farm or actively developing an operation, the program provided research-based education, practical guidance, and access to a valuable support network. By helping participants navigate common challenges, avoid costly mistakes, and identify available resources, the Small Farm Start-Up School supported aspiring farmers in turning their vision into a successful reality.

Now, the Small Farm Start-up School is preparing to build on that success with an expanded 10-week program in 2027.

A Statewide Learning Community in 2026

The 2026 Small Farm Start-up School served 147 participants from 40 counties, hosted 13 on-farm tours, awarded 20 scholarships worth $2,900, reviewed 117 business plans, and awarded Farm Service Agency (FSA) borrower training certificates to 75 individuals. Live and recorded educational presentations resulted in 994 views, extending learning opportunities beyond the scheduled classroom sessions.

The program reached the audience it was designed to serve through word of mouth, Facebook advertising, and online calendars. More than half of the participants had not previously operated a farm or ranch business, 75% reported no agricultural revenue, and more than 62% had not started a business plan. Participants came with a wide variety of enterprise interests including vegetables, poultry and eggs, fruits and orchards, cattle, herbs, honey production, goats, cut flowers, aquaculture, hydroponics, agritourism, and other alternative enterprises.

Learning That Led to Action

Thirteen participants discussing crop production in an open field within a farm. — Small farm demonstration in Gadsden County, Florida in 2026. Small Farm Start-up School farm tour 2026. Photo credit: Donna Arnold, UF/IFAS Extension.

Participants reported knowledge improvement across 23 course topics. Some of the most substantial improvements in understanding were in legal basics, beef production, forages, business fundamentals, aquaculture, agritourism, horticulture, small livestock, hydroponics, and cash-flow management.

The participants translated their knowledge gain into behavior change and reported that:

12 new businesses were started.
48 business plans were improved.
44% initiated beneficial business actions during the course.
30% initiated beneficial production actions during the course.

Business planning was a central part of the course. Participants developed business plans and learned to examine expenses, markets, infrastructure needs, regulations, financial records, and the feasibility of their proposed enterprises before making major investments.

The testimonial of one participant in the 2026 class described the value of the planning process:

“I loved the Ag Plan and thought it was a phenomenal tool to organize a business plan. The prompts at the bottom of each section were helpful as well to be able to think through the example for my own business.”

Building Relationships Across Florida

The Small Farm Start-up School is more than a course; it is an opportunity to build relationships. Students connected with one another, experienced farmers, Extension faculty, agricultural agencies, and industry experts. In addition, most of the 2026 participants indicated they learned something new from their peers and many remained connected throughout the course.

A 2026 graduate shared:

“I really enjoyed the farm tours. I have made it a point to participate in local farmers events as well. I think networking is very helpful. I hope to stay in touch with people from my class.”

Participant confidence in the program was also high. Among survey respondents, 88% of alumni and 86% of the 2026 cohort said they would recommend the Small Farm Start-up School.

Alumni Survey: Lasting Impacts

The Start-up School has been in operation since 2021 and alumni reported meaningful social, environmental, and economic outcomes after completing the course.

Social: Alumni reported stronger professional relationships, particularly with UF/IFAS Extension, farmer networks, and individual farmers. These connections provide continued access to peers, property appraisers, tax collectors, planning/zoning staff, and agricultural resources.

Environmental: Alumni reported positive environmental improvements including drip irrigation, greater use of native and pollinator plants, improved soil cover, reduced pesticide use, and stronger food-safety practices.

Economics: Alumni reported increased profit, reduced out-of-pocket costs, increased sales, new revenue streams, and business launches.

Looking Ahead to the Expanded 2027 School

Field of leafy green crops grown by a Florida farmer. — Small farm operation in St. Johns County, Florida in 2026. Small Farm Start-up School farm tour 2026. Photo credit: Jeet Ramjattan, UF/IFAS Extension.

The 2027 Small Farm Start-up School will expand to a 10-week hybrid course, beginning with farm tours during the week of April 13, 2027, followed by online sessions from April 20 through June 29, 2027. Online classes will be held on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. EST (5:00 to 7:00 p.m. CST).

Course topics will address crop and livestock production, enterprise evaluation, business planning, financial management, recordkeeping, marketing, agritourism, land use, regulatory compliance, food safety, integrated pest management, infrastructure, and market channels.

A minimum and maximum enrollment requirement will be established for each participating county. If minimum requirement for county enrollment is not met, participants will be invited to join another county. Farm-tour attendance is strongly encouraged, but it is not required to complete the course. Participants have two opportunities to submit a business plan for review. If interested, visit the Extension Online Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises landing page for more information.

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Authors: David Campbell*, Jessica Ryals, Derek Farnsworth, Luis Rodriguez, Danielle Treadwell, Yvette Goodiel, Catherine Campbell, Jenn Hagen, Ian Rabinowitz, Anna Mészáros, Ashley Stonecipher, Allison Williams, Malek Hammami, Jeet Ramjattan, Amanda Masholie, Stephen Jennewein, David Outerbridge, Jim DeValerio, and Billy Mitchell.

*corresponding author, campbell@ufl.edu

The Small Farm Start-up School is offered through the Florida Cooperative Extension Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Program, a collaborative effort involving FAMU and UF/IFAS state and county faculty. The program supports economically viable farms, strong local food systems, and responsible natural-resource conservation through research, demonstrations, and practical Extension education.

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